GOVERNMENT

The biggest news from Tuesday's primary elections might have less to do with the votes cast than with how people cast them. This election will mark the passage of New York's old-fashioned lever voting machines and the debut of optically scanned ballots.

The Race for Albany

Every borough except Staten Island will see some primaries for Assembly and State Senate on Sept. 14. Gotham Gazette has provided original reporting of some key races and will continue to do so until election day. A complete list of competitive primaries -- with a link to more information -- is below.

Unless otherwise indicated, the primary is on the Democratic side only. The incumbent is listed in parentheses.

Beyond the change in technology, these contests also could provide an indication of how deep anti-incumbent fervor runs in New York and a sense of whether the Tea Party movement has much support among state Republicans.

In 2010, all four statewide offices and both U.S. Senate seats are up for grabs. The entire congressional delegation and the state legislature must face the voters. Add to that the turmoil of the last two years in Albany and the parlous condition of the state economy and New York would seem to have all the makings for political dogfights up and down the ballot.

But many contests never materialized. While five candidates fight it out for the Democratic nomination for state attorney general, the party's nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, comptroller and senior senator face no opposition until the general election. In an interesting twist, a few of this year's most contentious battles are among Republicans, who for years tended to follow the admonition to never speak ill of a fellow party member and avoided bruising primary battles.

In our latest Guide for the Last Minute Voter, we offer coverage of key races, lists and aggregation of all competitive contests for state legislature in the city, a rundown on what else you might see on your ballot (don't forget those judicial convention contests), and information on where and how to vote. For the latest on who's running -- in the primary and general -- for all the congressional and legislative seats in the five boroughs, go to Who's Running for What.

Topping the Ticket

Democrats, whose internal rifts are the stuff of legend in New York State, go into the primary surprisingly united -- at least on the surface. Of the three Albany offices at stake, Democrats have a primary for only one: attorney general. Republicans, on the other hand, have a bitter gubernatorial contest between former U.S. Rep. and Wall Streeter Rick Lazio and businessperson Carl Paladino, who has been styled as a Tea Party candidate.

The Republican division continues in the races for U.S. Senate. GOP voters get to choose among candidates to challenge both Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. On the Democratic side, Schumer has no primary opponent; Gillibrand will face Gail Goode.

Republicans also are enmeshed in a bitter contest to be the party's choice to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Michael McMahon on Staten Island. While several Democratic representatives face primaries, the headline battles are both in Manhattan where a political newcomer, Reshma Saujani, seeks to unseat longtime U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney and where U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel fights for his political survival.

Going After Diaz: The state senator has angered many with his fight against same-sex marriage, but he says voters in his home district love him. Challenger Charlie Ramos hopes to prove him wrong.

In Astoria, the Field Narrows: After one contender dropped out, only two candidates remain to vie for the seat now held by Mike Gianaris -- even though no incumbent appears on the ballot for the first time in a decade.

Can the Next Attorney General Fix Albany?: With corruption rampant, why haven't state attorney generals brought more criminal cases against state politicians? Candidates for the office discuss what they would do.

Elsewhere on the Ballot

To make your primary day a little easier, no judicial contests appears on the ballot this year. But some voters, notably many Democrats and members of the Independence Party who live in Staten Island, will get to fill some party posts.

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